Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272264
Title: Harvey L. Messner
Date: 1/12/1934-8/11/2026
Inscription/Marks: 1/12/1934
Summary: Harvey LaVern Messner, age 92, of Tolna, ND, passed away on August 11, 2026, at a nursing home in Jamestown. A funeral service was held September 26, 2026, at New Life Fellowship, Tolna. His burial was at the Sidgal Cemetery, Tolna. Harvey, the son of George and Idelia (Rude) Messner of Hamar, ND, was born on January 12, 1934, on the family farm, rural Hamar, on a very cold night. He was delivered by a midwife, Mrs. LaMotte. Harvey attended Colvin 1 country school in Eddy County, ND, through 8th grade and continued his freshman year at Benson County Agricultural and Training School in Maddock, ND. He returned home to farm with his father. He married Eleanor Terpening on July 13, 1958, at the First Congregational Church in New Rockford, ND. They enjoyed going to dances with friends around the community. They raised two sons on the family farm, Shawn and Trent. After the Hamar elevator burned in the late 1960s, Harvey started working for Vigen Construction to build the new Hamar elevator. For a short time he worked at Eddy County Equipment in New Rockford. In his spare time, he helped his brother-in-law, Bruce Terpening, pour concrete. After he retired from farming, he worked construction for Alan and Dennis Gleason, and later he worked for Steve Dahl until retiring. Harvey served on the Colvin Township Board, North Central Planning Committee, and Sigdal Church Council. He also was a member and served on the board of the Central North Dakota Steam Threshers Reunion of New Rockford for many years. He also volunteered on the Tolna rural fire department. When he was a member of the Citizen's Band Radio Club, he met many people who became close friends. He went by the name, “Bunny Rabbit.” Harvey belonged to the Aneta Snowmobiling Club. A highlight in his snowmobiling years was going on a trip with Russ Schumacher, Bruce and Wanda Terpening to West Yellowstone, MT. Harvey enjoyed listening to old-time music and became interested in fiddle festivals and attended many at the International Peace Gardens and Canada. Harvey and his friend, Jimmy Backstad, enjoyed visiting family and friends in Canada and even went as far north as the Yukon Territory. In Canada, Harvey enjoyed going with friends to fish and had bear hunts with his brother-in-law, Joel Ackerman. Harvey and the family enjoyed many vacations and camping trips to several states and Canada. Harvey is survived by his wife of 68 years, Eleanor; two sons, Shawn, of Tolna, and Trent (Brandina) of Jamestown, ND; and two grandchildren, CaSara and Bryson Messner; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Isabelle and Florence; and brothers, Lyle and Allen.
Red ID: FND_I_79756

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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